State secretary of state brings Auburn $250K for kayak park

By Jessica Soule / The Citizen

Wednesday, August 9, 2006 9:50 AM EDT

AUBURN - Phase Two of the kayak park is a go.
Auburn officials welcomed a $250,000 grant from New York Secretary of State Christopher Jacobs Tuesday afternoon during his visit to Market Street Park.

Jacobs presented checks to nine other municipalities surrounding Cayuga County.

The additional grant is earmarked for the second stage of the proposed Owasco Riverfront Revitalization Project.

“Right now there are only two stages,” said Steve Lynch, director of planning and economic development.

“I keep telling them, if they write us more grants, there might be more projects.”

The first phase of the proposed river project includes making a kayak run and improving the south side of the waterway.

“Anytime you can separate yourself from other towns, that's great. A kayak park would be great for the city,” City Manager John Salomone said.

Construction on the park won't begin until Loop Road is narrowed by one lane between Genesee and North.

Engineers plan to have dedicated turning lanes for vehicles turning onto the bounding streets.

Salomone said the change will improve traffic because the street currently does not have marked turning lanes.

The city's obligation is to fix the road to create green space before the state will pick up the tab for the river waterfront development. The city allotted $100,000 in road improvement money to help match a $250,000 state grant for the first stage. This includes the actual kayak run and improvements along the south side of the waterway.

Now, the city has the second grant for $250,000 for the second stage, which includes installing a pedestrian promenade on the north side of the outlet and walking and biking paths along the river.

Engineers are seeking the solution for getting boaters through the bridge deck under Freedom Park. The city can put the project out to bid after they make that section safe for boaters.

“I would like to look at doing something on the other side of the (North Street) bridge and we could move it downstream because of issues with piping,” Councilor William Graney said.

Staff writer Jessica Soule can be reached at 253-5311 ext 267 or jessica.soule @lee.net

The Citizens' Say

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There are 5 comment(s)

tax payer wrote on Aug 9, 2006 8:25 PM:

" Their is alot to do in auburn,like getting your head out of your butts about downtown.We need to bring in good jobs in auburn. half the city is on p.a.and lets clean this city up and i dont mean just DOWNTOWN.lets use that money to clean up the chem. spill on west york street. "

ed wrote on Aug 9, 2006 6:48 PM:

" are you kidding me a kayak park get real what a waste of money "

David wrote on Aug 9, 2006 4:27 PM:

" The Kayak park is the biggest waste of taxpayers money. Since the skateboard park that isn't being used. "

Auburnian wrote on Aug 9, 2006 4:25 PM:

" I grew up in Auburn, and I am sad to say that I dont have a single memory involving my use of the Owasco River. OK, the duck derby. For decades, plans have come and gone and for various reasons nothing's ever been done. The kayak park is an exciting opportunity to enliven the downtown area by enhancing and making use of one of our city's god-given natural assets. Furthermore, if we are all clamoring about the loss of young professionals in Auburn and Upstate NY - well, this and the disc golf course, and other unique attractions may bring some of them back, maybe first as visitors, later as residents. You've got to start somewhere - I applaud City Planning and Council for pursuing and persevering with downtown redevelopment. "

Jessica wrote on Aug 9, 2006 2:44 PM:

" I for one am excited that things are going forward for the kayak park! Some days I wonder if anyone even realizes that there is a river that runs straight through our downtown. Why not do something to use it? Having a nice place to walk along the river will be a huge benefit for those who say "there is nothing to do in Auburn". Let's just hope that this park continues in the right direction and production begins on it soon! "

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